Southern California -- this just in

Young women compete for spot on 2012 Rose Court

The last round of tryouts for the Tournament of Roses 2012 Rose Court took place Thursday, with 34 young women out of an original field of more than 900 competing for seven coveted spots.

Each competitor was asked to write a speech on one of two essay topics and then deliver the speech in three minutes or less. Tournament of Roses spokeswoman Meredith Flinn said the topics are not released to the public.

Marika Standford-Moore, a student of South Pasadena High School, became a finalist alongside several school friends including Chloe Acebo, Evelyn Ashleigh, Taylor Levine and Miranda Gontz, the Pasadena Sun reported. Some of the girls have known each other since elementary school and they expressed their gratitude for the chance to represent South Pasadena.

"I'm very nervous but we have to stay positive," Standford-Moore said at Tournament House Thursday. "If we're meant for it, we're meant to be princesses."

"I think it's amazing that Tournament of Roses is not a beauty pageant," she added. "It's about your poise and elegance and how you speak. It's not, 'She's the prettiest girl.' You have to be elegant."

The association will announce the names of the members of Rose Court on Oct. 10. The Rose Queen will be named Oct. 18.